Book - Twelve Faces of Time
This 208-page visual delight comprising insightful texts by international horology-specialized journalist Elizabeth Doerr and original photography by German photographer Ralf Baumgarten will allow readers to see well-known horological figures such as François-Paul Journe, Vianney Halter, and Philippe Dufour as they've never been seen before. Their stories are separately told in masterful English giving an impression of the history, concepts, and technical ideas behind the watchmakers. The black-and-white visuals atmospherically depict the technical magicians in their environments, displaying plenty of their mechanical wizardry alongside impressions of what makes them unique.
Independent watchmakers
The reader will also gain unique insight into major independent horologists like Finnish chronometer specialist Kari Voutilainen, Felix Baumgartner of Urwerk fame, triple-axis tourbillon technician Thomas Prescher, German wunderkind Volker Vyskocil, English contender to the horological crown Roger Smith, resonance specialist Beat Haldimann, and Paul Gerber, Guinness Book of World Record holder for the most complicated watch and the smallest wooden clock movements.
Readers will probably particularly enjoy learning about two men who are very rarely seen in the press. Dr. Ludwig Oechslin is not only the curator of the Musee International d'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, but also the movement designer for some of Ulysse Nardin's most complicated and forward-thinking movements and creator of the MIH watch. Kenji Shiohara is the innovative Japanese watchmaker who founded a mini-department for high watchmaking within Japan's gargantuan Seiko Corporation, bringing forth the first Japanese-themed and expertly finished sonnerie—using Seiko's Spring Drive movement as the basis.
Book signing at Baselworld 2010
Twelve Faces of Time, out now in large format hardback, will interest not only die-hard aficionados of high watchmaking, but also those attracted by artistic photography and beautiful imagery. A feast for all of the senses, the reader will practically hear the ticking of the rare and unique movements alongside the exotic accents of the masterful thinkers and gifted watchmakers speaking from the pages to introduce their life's work—one that propagates an age-old craft.
Additionally, fans will have the chance to meet many of the watchmakers portrayed in the book during Baselworld, since Swiss watch book specialist Watchprint is staging two autograph sessions during the fair: one each on Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 at 2:00 pm. Visitors to the book hut run by Watchprint on Messeplatz right outside the entrance to Hall 1 can have books signed by author Elizabeth Doerr, photographer Ralf Baumgarten, and any of the twelve watchmakers present.